Kara Yates

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT KARA YATES

I’m a workforce and education strategist who helps organizations and regions grow by connecting people, learning, and opportunity. As Executive Director of Talent at the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, I lead large-scale initiatives that strengthen talent pipelines, advance workforce readiness, and drive regional growth.With 20+ years of experience spanning professional development, organizational leadership, and economic development, I specialize in turning complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies. My work bridges business, education, and government systems to create people-first solutions that deliver measurable outcomes.I work at the intersection of workforce development, education, and economic growth—bringing employers, educators, and civic leaders together to build scalable systems that create real pathways for people and sustainable pipelines for industry.I’m passionate about reimagining how people learn, work, and thrive. From developing Talent Bridge, an AI-driven workforce platform, to leading regional strategic planning and systems alignment, my focus is always on building sustainable growth through collaboration, innovation, and leadership.Core Strengths:• Workforce Strategy & Transformation• Learning & Development Leadership• Organizational Growth & Change Management• Strategic Workforce Planning• Leadership Development & Culture Building• Public-Private Partnerships & Cross-Sector Collaboration• Future of Work & Talent Systems InnovationWhether I’m advising executives, coaching teams, or building partnerships, I lead with clarity, creativity, and a commitment to making progress real and measurable.